Retainer assembly

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a retainer assembly are provided. The retainer assembly includes, for example, a bracket that partially surrounds a part or component and a latching component pivotally attached to the bracket. The latching component and frame bracket retain the part or component to a portion of the wheelchair frame when the latching component is located in the closed position.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/726,856 filed on Oct. 14, 2005 for CLAMPINGASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH WHEELCHAIRS, the entire disclosure of which isfully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a retainer assembly usefulfor retaining items of various shapes and sizes together. Moreparticularly, this application relates to various embodiments ofremovable and/or adjustable wheelchair seating assemblies and to variousembodiments of retainer assemblies for use therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wheelchairs are a means of transportation for a significant portion ofsociety. Some wheelchairs include removable and/or adjustable seatingsystems. The removability of

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wheelchairs are a means of transportation for a significant portion ofsociety. Some wheelchairs include removable and/or adjustable seatingsystems. The removability of such seating systems allows a user of thewheelchair to easily assemble and disassemble the seat with thewheelchair.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a retainer assembly are provided. The retainer assemblyincludes, for example, a bracket that partially surrounds a part orcomponent and a latching component pivotally attached to the bracket.The latching component and frame bracket retain the part or component toa portion of the wheelchair frame when the latching component is locatedin the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary wheelchair;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a retainerassembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer assembly of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable seatingassembly including the retainer assembly of FIG. 2 with the latchingcomponent in the open position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable seatingassembly including the retainer assembly of FIG. 2 with the latchingcomponent in the closed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the retainer assembly of FIG. 2 beingused with a cylindrical member; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a retainer assembly accordingto a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a retainer assembly for use inretaining assorted items of various shapes and sizes together and, inparticular, to various embodiments of removable wheelchair seatingassemblies and various embodiments of retainer assemblies for usetherewith. The application is applicable to retainer assemblies andwheelchair seating assemblies of varying constructions.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary wheelchair 100is shown. The wheelchair 100 has a frame 102 that includes a first sidecane 104 and a second side cane 106. For the purpose of this applicationa frame 102 is any tubular or cylindrical (including frame componentswith circular, elliptical, or oval cross sections) member that definessome structural aspect of a wheelchair. The frame 102 can take a widevariety of different shapes and configurations. The frame 102 of theexemplary wheelchair illustrated in FIG. 1 is fashioned from metal, butother suitable materials such as plastic or a composite material couldalso be used. The wheelchair illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes a pairof wheels 110, a pair of optional leg rests 120, a pair of optional armrests 130, a seat bottom 140 and a backrest 150.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an exemplary retainerassembly 200 is shown. The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200illustrated in FIG. 2 can be utilized with the exemplary wheelchair 100shown in FIG. 1. However, it should be understood that wheelchairseating assembly 200 of this detailed description is not limited to usewith the exemplary wheelchair 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The retainerassembly 200 disclosed by this detailed description can be used with anytype of wheelchair, including but not limited to, manually drivenwheelchairs, motor driven wheelchairs, wheelchairs with rigid frames,wheelchairs with folding frames, scooters, rollators, and other mobilityaids. In addition, the retainer assembly 200 disclosed by this detaileddescription can also be used for other devices apart from mobility aids.

The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2generally includes a frame attachment bracket 210 and a latchingcomponent 220. The frame attachment bracket 210 can take a variety ofshapes and configurations. The frame attachment bracket 210 of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is generally “J” shaped with agenerally planar attachment portion 230 and a frame retaining portion240 which has a generally curved shape (as shown in more detail in FIG.3). It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the frameattachment bracket 210 is not limited to this shape and configurationand other suitable shapes and configurations could also be used inadditional embodiments. Examples of additional shapes that could be usedfor the frame attachment bracket 210 include, but are not limited to, aplanar attachment portion 230 with a frame retaining portion 240 whichhas the shape of a portion of a square, or a planar attachment 230portion with a frame retaining portion 240 which has the shape of aportion of a triangle, etc. In addition, the frame attachment bracket210 could be fashioned without a planar attachment portion 230 and couldsimply be shaped like a portion of a triangle, square, circle, oval,ellipse, or have an irregular shape. The frame attachment bracket 210can have any shape or configuration which allows it to partiallysurround a portion of the side canes 104, 106. The frame attachmentbracket 210 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustratedin FIG. 2 is fashioned from metal, but other suitable materials such asplastic or a composite material could also be used.

The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2includes a latching component 220. The latching component 220 can take avariety of shapes and configurations. The embodiment of the latchingcomponent 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a generally arcuatelatching portion 250 (as shown in more detail in FIG. 3). As with theframe attachment bracket 210, it should be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the latching component 220 is not limited to the shape andconfiguration of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 and other shapesand configurations could be used. Examples of additional shapes that canbe used for the latching component 220 include, but are not limited to,a portion of a square, a portion of a rectangle, a portion of atriangle, etc. The latching component 220 can have any shape orconfiguration which allows it to partially surround a portion of theside canes 104, 106. The latching component 220 of the embodiment of theretainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is fashioned from metal, butother suitable materials such as plastic or a composite material couldalso be used.

The embodiment of the latching component 220 illustrated in FIG. 2includes a positioning member 260 (as shown in more detail in FIG. 3).The positioning member 260 can take a variety of shapes andconfigurations. The embodiment of the positioning member 260 illustratedin FIG. 2 is a protruding tab which projects from the arcuate shapedlatching portion. The positioning member 260 of the embodiment of theretainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is adapted to be grasped ormanipulated by a user when positioning the latching component 220.However, the positioning member 260 need not be included with allembodiments of the latching component 220 as the user could simply graspa portion of the latching component 220 directly. It should also beunderstood that the positioning member 260 could take other formsbesides a protruding tab. Examples of other items that can be used forthe positioning member 260 include, but are not limited to, a string, acable, a depression or opening defined within the surface of thelatching component, etc. The positioning member 260 can have any shapeor configuration which allows a user to manipulate the position of thelatching component 220.

The frame attachment bracket 210 and the latching component 220 of theembodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 arecoupled. The frame attachment bracket 210 and the latching component 220can be coupled in a variety of different ways. In the embodiment of theretainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, an optional channel orcut-out 270 is defined within the frame retaining portion 240 of theframe attachment bracket 210. The optional channel or cut-out 270divides a portion of the frame retaining portion 240 of the embodimentof the frame attachment bracket 210 illustrated in FIG. 2 into a firstprong 272 and second prong 274. The embodiment of the latching component220 illustrated in FIG. 2 is coupled to the frame attachment bracket 210by a fastener 280. A variety of different fasteners could be used. Thefastener 280 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustratedin FIG. 2 is a conventional screw.

The embodiment of the latching component 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 ismounted by the fastener 280 between the first and second prongs 272, 274and partially fits within the channel 270 of the frame attachmentbracket 210. As shown in FIG. 3, the fastener 280 of the embodiment ofthe retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 extends through anopening 310 defined within the first prong 272 of the frame attachmentbracket 210, proceeds through an opening 330 defined within the latchingcomponent 220, and into an opening 320 defined within the second prong274 of the frame attachment bracket 210. The latching component 220freely pivots on the fastener 280 relative to the frame attachmentbracket 210 between an opened position and a closed position.

The fastener 280 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200illustrated in FIG. 3 is a screw which threads into a female threadedopening 320 defined within the second prong 274 of the frame attachmentbracket 210. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the artthat the latching component 220 could be attached to the frameattachment bracket 210 in other ways. For example, the latchingcomponent 220 could be attached to the frame attachment bracket 210 bythe use of a post which extends from the frame attachment bracket 210and fits within an opening defined within the latching component 220 orvice versa. The latching component 220 could also be attached to theframe attachment bracket 210 by many other connection methods, such as ahinge, etc. In addition, it should also be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the frame attachment bracket 210 need not include a channelor cut-out 270 in all embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the frameattachment bracket could be formed without a channel 270 and thelatching component 220 could be affixed to another portion of the frameattachment bracket as shown in the embodiment of the retainer assemblyillustrated in FIG. 7.

The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 alsoincludes a locating mechanism 290. The locating mechanism 290 can take awide variety of forms. In the embodiment of the retainer assemblyillustrated in FIG. 3, the locating mechanism 290 is mounted to theframe attachment bracket 210. It should be understood that the locatingmechanism 290 could also be located on the latching component 220 oranother portion of the retainer assembly 200. In the embodiment of theretainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 3, the locating mechanism 290is a set screw that is threaded into a threaded opening 340 in the firstprong 272 of the frame attachment bracket 210. Additional types oflocating mechanism 290 that can be used include, but are not limited to,cam latches, spring latches, compression latches, rotary action latches,draw latches, magnetic latches, etc. The locating mechanism 290 can beany item or structure that provides for the fixing of the location ofthe latching component 220 relative to the frame attachment bracket 210,whether done selectively or automatically.

The latching component 220 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an optional detent notch 292. Thedetent notch 292 can take a wide variety of shapes and configurations.In the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2,the detent notch 292 is a circular shaped depression defined within thesurface of the latching component. Examples of additional shapes thatcan be used for the detent notch include, but are not limited to asquare, triangle, rectangle, oval, etc.

The tip of the locating mechanism 290 of the embodiment of the retainerassembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 extends below the lower surface ofthe first prong 272 of the frame attachment bracket 210. A portion ofthe locating mechanism 290 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is adapted to engage the detent notch 292defined within the latching component 220. The engagement of thelocating mechanism 290 with the detent notch 292 of the latchingcomponent 220 retains the latching component of the embodiment of theretainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 in a predetermined closedposition until the latching component 220 is urged out of the closedposition by a user of the retainer assembly 200.

The latching component 220 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes one detent notch 292; howeverlatching components 220 of additional embodiments of the retainerassembly 200 could include multiple detent notches, each of the detentnotches defining discrete positions of the latching component 220. Inaddition, the retainer assembly 200 could also include multiple locatingmechanisms 290 as well. It should also be understood that in additionalembodiments the locating mechanism 290 could be located on the latchingcomponent 220 and the detent notch 292 could be defined within the frameattachment bracket 210.

While the locating mechanism 290 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3is a set screw, it should be understood by those skilled in the art thatdifferent types of locating mechanism could be used in additionalembodiments. For example, the locating mechanism 290 could be a springloaded plunger 290 a as illustrated in FIG. 7. The spring loaded plunger290 a is mounted within an opening defined within the frame attachmentbracket 210 a. The tip of the spring loaded plunger 290 a extends abovethe top surface 710 of the frame attachment bracket 210 a as illustratedin FIG. 7. The tip of the spring loaded plunger 290 a is adapted to fitwithin a detent notch (not shown) defined within the latching component220 a. The locating mechanism could also simply be a protrusion whichprojects from a surface of the frame attachment bracket 210 or latchingcomponent 220 and fits within a detent defined within the othercomponent. It should be understood that all embodiments of the retainerassembly need not include a detent notch or other locating mechanism. Inadditional embodiments of the retainer assembly, the latching component220 could be retained in position by methods other than a detent notch.

In the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2,the latching component 220 pivots freely on the fastener 280 relative tothe frame attachment bracket 210. However, when the locating mechanism290 is engaged with the detent notch 292 defined within the latchingcomponent 220, the latching component 220 is positively located in apre-determined position. A force must then be exerted on the latchingcomponent 220 by the user to overcome the engagement force between thelocating mechanism 290 and the latching component 220 to allow thelatching component 220 to freely pivot on the fastener 280 relative tothe frame attachment bracket 210.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of one embodiment of aremovable seating assembly 400 including the embodiment of the retainerassembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is shown. The embodiment of theseating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a pair of retainerassemblies 200 with one retainer assembly for retaining each side cane104, 106. However, alternative embodiments of the removable seatingassembly 400 could include one, two or any number of retainer assemblies200. In addition, the retainer assemblies 200 could be used to retainany component to a wheelchair frame or any two components of awheelchair together. It should also be understood that the retainerassembly 200 of this application is not limited to use with wheelchairsonly. The retainer assembly 200 could be used in connection with othermedical devices, such as scooters, walkers, rollators, canes, crutches,etc., or any other type of mechanism, structure, or assembly thatinvolves the retaining of parts together. The embodiment of the retainerassembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 could be use for any application thatrequires the retaining of a cylindrically shaped member as illustratedin FIG. 6. It should also be understood that the retainer assembly 200could be adapted for use with items that have non-circular shaped crosssections, such as squares, triangles, etc.

The embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG.4 includes a backrest bracket 420 which is attached to the backrest 410of the seating assembly 400. While the backrest bracket 420 of theembodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4is attached to the backrest by a plurality of screws 420, the backrestbracket 420 could be attached to the backrest 410 using nuts and bolts,rivets, glue, weldments, or any other type of fastener. The backrestbracket 420 of the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400illustrated in FIG. 4 is “L” shaped; however brackets of various shapesand sizes could also be used. The frame attachment bracket 210 of theembodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 4 isattached to the backrest bracket 420. While, the frame attachmentbracket 210 of the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400illustrated in FIG. 4 is attached to the backrest bracket 420 by aplurality of nuts and bolts 430, the frame attachment bracket 210 couldbe attached to the backrest bracket 420 using screws, rivets, glue,weldments, or any other type of fastener. In additional embodiments ofthe seating assembly 400, the frame attachment bracket 210 is attacheddirectly to the backrest 410 or another portion of the seating assembly400 without the use of any backrest bracket 420.

To use the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustratedin FIG. 4, the frame retaining portion 240 of the frame attachmentbracket 210 of the seating assembly 400 is placed around a portion ofthe side cane 104 of the wheelchair with the latching component 220 inthe open position (as shown in FIG. 4). The user then pivots thelatching component 220 relative to the frame attachment bracket 210 tothe closed position. In the closed position, the latching component 220of the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated inFIG. 4 couples with the frame attachment bracket 210 to retain theretainer assembly 200 onto a portion of the side cane 104 (as shown inFIG. 5). The locating mechanism 290 of the retainer assembly 200illustrated in FIG. 2 engages with the latching component 220 via thedetent notch 292 when the latching component 220 is in the closedposition. This engagement positively locates the latching component 220in the closed position and retains the side cane 104 within the retainerassembly 200.

The retainer assembly 200 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 canretain the backrest 410 of the seating assembly 400 to the side canes104, 106 in a variety of ways. The size, shape and configuration of theretainer assembly 200 can be adapted to fully encircle the side canewhen the latching component 220 is in the closed position and retain thebackrest 410 to the side canes 104, 106 without compressing the sidecanes 104, 106 or the latching component 220 or frame attachment bracket210 being deformed. Accordingly, the retainer assembly 200 wouldprohibit the backrest 210 from detaching from the side canes 104, 106while the latching component 220 was in the closed position but wouldnot actually be clamping down on the side canes 104, 106.

In addition, other embodiments of the retainer assembly 200 can retainthe backrest 410 of the seating assembly 400 to the side canes 104, 106by exerting a compressive or clamping force on the side canes 104, 106.This clamping or compressive force can be created in various ways. Forexample, either the frame attachment bracket 210 or latching component220 can be adapted to be resiliently deformable. The retainer assembly200 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 can be adapted for use witha cylindrical frame component which has a diameter which causes eitherthe frame bracket 210 or latching component 220 to resiliently deformwhen the latching component is moved to the closed position. Theresilient deformation of either the frame bracket 210 or latchingcomponent 220 exerts a clamping or compressive force on the side cane104 when the latching component 220 is in the closed position.

In addition, the clamping force exerted by the retainer assembly 200 onthe side canes 104, 106 could be generated by use of the retainerassembly 200 on a side cane 104, 106 made of a material adapted toresiliently deform. The retainer assembly 200 of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4 can be adapted for use with a cylindrical framecomponent which has a diameter which causes such a resilientlydeformable side cane 104, 106 to resiliently deform when the latchingcomponent 220 is moved to the closed position. The resilient deformationof the side cane 104, 106 causes the frame bracket 210 or latchingcomponent 220 to exert a clamping or compressive force on the side cane104 when the latching component 220 is in the closed position. It shouldbe understood by those skilled in the art that such a clamping orcompressive force could be achieved in many additional ways as well.

Accordingly, the latching component 220 securely attaches the backrest410 to the side cane 104. The latching component 220 remains in theclosed position until a sufficient force is placed upon the latchingcomponent 220 to overcome the engagement of the locating mechanism 290with the detent notch 292 of the latching component. Consequently, thebackrest 410 will remain securely attached to the side cane 104 untilsuch a force is applied to the latching component 220. Additionalembodiments of the seating assembly could include locking members,latches or other devices which work in concert with the locatingmechanism to lock the latching component 220 in a desired position.

The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 4 allowsfor one handed installation and removal of the backrest 410. Inaddition, the retainer assembly 200 does not require any tools totighten or loosen any of its components during use.

It should be noted that while the embodiment of the removable seatingassembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is only a removable seating assembly,it could also be adjustable as well with the retainer assembly 200providing for adjustment of the seating assembly 400 or other portion ofthe wheelchair. While the retainer assembly 200 of the embodiment of theremovable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is only shown inuse with a backrest, it could also be used with other components of awheelchair seating assembly, such as a seat bottom or an entire seatincluding both a backrest and a seat bottom. In addition, the retainerassembly 200 of this application could also be used with othercomponents of a wheelchair, such as legrests, armrests, etc., or withother devices apart from wheelchairs.

It should be understood that the embodiments discussed above arerepresentative of aspects of the invention and are provided as examplesand not an exhaustive description of implementations of an aspect of theinvention. While various aspects of the invention are described andillustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplaryembodiments, these various aspects may be realized in many alternativeembodiments, either individually or in various combinations andsub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all suchcombinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope ofthe present invention. Still further, while various alternativeembodiments as to the various aspects and features of the invention,such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods,devices, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete orexhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presentlyknown or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt oneor more of the aspects, concepts or features of the invention intoadditional embodiments within the scope of the present invention even ifsuch embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, eventhough some features, concepts or aspects of the invention may bedescribed herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, suchdescription is not intended to suggest that such feature is required ornecessary unless expressly so stated.

1. A wheelchair comprising: a frame; a plurality of wheels that areadapted to support the frame relative to a supporting surface; a seatingcomponent, the seating component including at least one of a seat bottomand a backrest; and a retainer assembly attached to a portion of theseating component, the retainer assembly comprising: a bracket that isdisposed against a portion of the frame; and a latching componentpivotally attached to the bracket, the latching component pivotingbetween an open position and a closed position, the latching componentand bracket coupling to retain the seating component to the portion ofthe frame when the latching component is in the closed position.
 2. Thewheelchair of claim 1, wherein the latching component has a generallyarcuate shape.
 3. The wheelchair of claim 1, further comprising: alocating mechanism, the locating mechanism being engageable with thelatching component to retain the latching component in a predeterminedposition.
 4. The wheelchair of claim 3 wherein the locating mechanism ismounted on the bracket.
 5. The wheelchair of claim 3 wherein thelocating mechanism is mounted on the latching component.
 6. Thewheelchair of claim 3 wherein a detent notch is defined within thelatching component, the detent notch receiving the locating mechanism toretain the latching component in a predetermined position.
 7. Thewheelchair of claim 4 wherein the locating mechanism is a set screw. 8.The wheelchair of claim 4 wherein the locating mechanism is a springbiased plunger.
 9. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the latchingcomponent includes a positioning member.
 10. A seating assembly for usewith a wheelchair comprising: a seating component, the seating componentincluding at least one of a seat bottom and a backrest; a frame member;and a retainer assembly, the retainer assembly comprising: a seatbracket mounted to a portion of the seating component; a frame bracketthat is disposed against the frame member, the frame bracket including alocating mechanism; a latching component pivotally attached to thebracket, the latching component pivoting between an open and a closedposition, a detent notch being defined within the surface of thelatching component; and wherein the locating mechanism is adapted forengagement with the detent notch of the latching component when thelatching component is in the closed position.
 11. The seating assemblyof claim 10, wherein the latching component and frame bracket attach theseating component to the frame member when the latching component islocated in the closed position, the locating mechanism retaining thelatching component in the closed position until an opening force isexerted upon the latching component.
 12. The seating assembly of claim10, wherein the latching component has a generally arcuate shape. 13.The seating assembly of claim 10 wherein the locating mechanism is a setscrew.
 14. The seating assembly of claim 10 wherein the locatingmechanism is a spring biased plunger.
 15. The seating assembly of claim10 wherein the latching component includes a positioning member.
 16. Aretainer assembly, the retainer assembly comprising: a bracket disposedagainst a member, the bracket including a locating mechanism; a latchingcomponent pivotally attached to the bracket, the latching componentpivoting between an open and a closed position, a detent notch beingdefined within the surface of the latching component; and wherein thelocating mechanism is adapted for engagement with the detent notch ofthe latching component when the latching component is in the closedposition, the latching component and bracket clamping the member whenthe latching component is located in the closed position, the locatingmechanism retaining the latching component in the closed position untilan opening force is exerted upon the latching component.
 17. Theretainer assembly of claim 16, wherein the latching component has agenerally arcuate shape.
 18. The retainer assembly of claim 16 whereinthe locating mechanism is a set screw.
 19. The retainer assembly ofclaim 16 wherein the locating mechanism is a spring biased plunger. 20.The retainer assembly of claim 16 wherein the latching componentincludes a positioning member.
 21. Method of securing a seat componentwhich includes at least one of a seat bottom and a backrest to awheelchair frame member comprising: positioning a bracket, which isattached to the seat component, such that a portion of the bracket isdisposed against the frame member; pivotally moving a latching componentattached to the bracket to couple with the bracket such that thelatching component and bracket encircle a portion of the frame member,the coupling of the latching component and bracket thereby retaining theseat component onto the frame member.
 22. A seating assembly for usewith a wheelchair comprising: a seating component, the seating componentincluding at least one of a seat bottom and a backrest; a frame member;a bracket that is disposed against a portion of the frame member, thebracket being attached to the seating component; and a latching meansfor coupling with the bracket to mount the seating component onto theframe member, the latching means being pivotally attached to thebracket.
 23. The seating assembly of claim 22 further comprising: alocating means for retaining the latching means in a predeterminedposition with respect to the bracket means.